By Yang Shan Yong

Oriental Daily, Oct 8, 2014

Uncertainties and hardship of Chinese education and the trapped situation of Chinese schools are known to many Malaysian Chinese without requiring former NTV news host Victor Gu to speak in “I am a speaker ” in Beijing’s reality TV show.

Our ancestors have insisted on promoting Chinese education in a lonely journey in times of uncertainties. The audience was moved by the fact that one can still speak Mandarin and write Chinese. Gu does not only give an impressive speech but has also revealed constraints in policy and circumstances.

Gu spoke on a serious topic and received positive comments. He is elegant and graceful. One of the trainers Lu Yu even praised Gu of having the potential to be champion. So what? Till today, revocation of Lim Lian Geok’s citizenship is still unable to be rectified.

When will come the time when Chinese education in Malaysia no longer rely on touching stories to pass down its legacy in a proper manner? When will be time when Chinese teachers are assigned without requiring political arrangement? When can the number of Chinese primary schools increase and development of Chinese independent schools proceed systematically?

Gu’s emotional speech is like strong wind which has swept across the entire world in international platform while we continue to nurture our wound in silent, squeezing ourselves in highly packed classrooms. Like our ancestors who insisted on the lamp by the name of “persistence”, we continue to lead our younger generations.

But what kind of journey is this? Gu understands, so does the party Gu is attached to. The winding path of Chinese education is making progress in the midst of audience’s surprises and touching moments. When can the passing down of cultural baton be easy? Gu is affectionate, so does Chinese schools.

Gu is elegant and graceful but not those regulations. In the midst of yes and no, Gu has advanced. But the current state of Chinese education remains at 1.0. Unfortunately, Gu is an orator, not a politician.

SIN CHEW NEWS, 07-10-2014

Hardship of Chinese education is related in “I am a speaker”, Victor Gu moves the audience

Former news host of NTV 7 Victor Gu’s sincere revelation of difficulties faced by Malaysian Chinese in learning their mother tongue in Beijing’s reality television programme called “I am a speaker” has moved the judges and audience. He has qualified to move to another level.

He tells the audience of how three generations of Chinese settle down in Malaysia, persistently promoting learning of Chinese and Chinese education in the midst of uncertainties. He also reminds the younger generation of difficulties in learning Chinese due to dwindling population.

However, he is of the view that no matter how harsh the condition for existence of Chinese education in Malaysia, it should not be discarded. That is the important symbol and the root of Chinese culture for Malaysian Chinese.

Labelled as God by Chinese audience

Speaking on a serious topic while appearing elegant and graceful at the same time, Gu is complimented by one of the trainers Lu Yu as having potential to be a champion. Through his speech, the Chinese audience discovers the hardship of Chinese education in Malaysia. Gu is branded by Chinese audience as “male god” in Weibo.

He also responds to Lu Yu’s compliments by joining her team to move compete in higher level for recognition.

According to “I am a speaker” in Weibo, Gu has entered the contest on his father’s expectation.

“I am a speaker” is highlight of competition show of Beijing TV. Using the slogan of “witnessing the power of language”, the show has Lu Yu, Le Jia, Zhang Wei Jian and Carina Lau as trainers to illustrate the artistic side of language.

Participants are to emerge from contests by going through the first round of selection among 500 people, undergo hurdles like PK, ring and champion battle in order to win.

Gu has led and University Malaya team many times for debate contests in international level to be champion and runner-up. He has also many times won the award as best debater. Once the host for Chinese version of “multi-millionaire” show and news host for mandarin section in NTV 7, he has also represented MCA to contest in the Damansara Utama state seat during General Election.

Currently he is the coach for debate team of Beijing Normal University in Zhuhai branch. Now he is into promoting debate as a professional competition event.

Original Source: 渐彪的感动，华教的感伤